FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE

FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE There is a tree beside my house. I call it the 'Spiritual Tree'. I derive spiritual inspiration from it. A tree is an evergrowing being that was initially a seed possessing the potential of becoming a full-grown tree. A seed takes food from the universe around it and then grows into a tree. The same is true with spirituality, the desire for which is intrinsic to, and an integral part of, the very nature of every human being. To realize this spirituality, man must derive spiritual food from the universe around him. A tree converts carbon-dioxide into oxygen; a spiritual person is one who can take positive lessons from negative situations. From this perspective, a tree is an embodiment of a spiritual personality. —Maulana Wahiduddin Khan PARADISE: A KNOWN ENTITY T HE QURAN states that the joys which God’s true servants will experience in Paradise will be a materialization of the joys they experienced in their worship in the world. In this world, God does not come out into the open; the joy that comes from realization of His existence and faith in Him is, accordingly, an abstract one. But in the next world, God will manifest Himself in all His glory; the joy that will come from beholding Him will become apparent for all to see. It is this realization that is the true aim of the Islamic life. All the actions of Islam are just a means towards conscious discovery of God; they are ways of establishing contact with the Creator. There is more to our relationship with God than performing some good deeds and God in Heaven being pleased with us in return. It is not a superficial and supposed relationship of this nature; it is a deep and direct one. The actions of God’s servant are, in their outward form, obedience to His commandments; but in reality, they are a means of conveyance to a place of communion with the Lord. There, one All the actions of Islam are just a means towards conscious discovery of God.